Door lock



Dec. 3, 1946. I R. F. SMITH 2,411,941

DOOR LOCK Original Filed Sept. 15, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Simentor R. F. SMITH Dec; 3, 1946.

Book LOCK Original Filed Se t. 15, 1944 5 Sheeis-Sheet 3.

7 3110mm: flalyezi $52133 Dec. 3, 1946.

R. F. SMITH DOOR LOCK Original Fil ed Sept. 15, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 R. F. SMITH DOOR LOCK Dec. 3, 1946.

Original Filed Sept. 15, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a w L w. w i 4 4 6 1 .l 7 v EzEVzJ EzE 1 6 v 0 2 0 9 a $2 5 f g 3 ll Wu H M v a 0 u z a m .0 j 3 K J 6 2 a y/ u a w H Immentor Wok z $51 712 g y attorney Inoon LOOK Y Robert F. Smith, Detroit, Mich, assignor to General Motors Corporation,

I poration of Delaware Continuation'of application Serial No. 554,115,

September 15, 1944. This 4, 1945, Serial No. 571,275

9 Claims. ((1292-25) 1 This application is a continuation of my application Serial Number 554,175, filed September 15, 1944. r

This invention relates to locks or latching mechanisms, particularly applicable to automotive vehicle doors and rear deck lids.

The object of the invention is to construct a lock which is operable by a push button from the inside of the vehicle and by a push button from the outsideof the vehicle, the push button on the outside of the vehicle having a key operated lock barrel therein. A further object of the invention is the elimination ofthe usual slidable latch bolt and the usual dovetail. In place of the latch bolt there are substituted two throw-out latches which engage with a stationary keeper secured to the,

door post. This stationary keeper also acts as a dovetail and performs the usual functions thereof. A further object of the invention is the combining oi the push button on the interior of the vehicle with the window raisingmechanism and thereby eliminating one projecting element or handle from the inside of the door.

Further objects of the invention relate to the specific details of the construction of the lock and latch mechanism.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of the-lock mechanism ap-' plied to-the door and looking from the outside of the door, parts of the door being broken away to illustrate the construction. I Figure 2 is a detailed view of the lock and latch mechanism attached .to the door pillar and looking at the edge of the door from the inside, a part being broken away better to illustrate the construction. r

- Figure 3 is a detailed viewof the parts shown in the upper part of Figure 2 but showing the push button depressed and the parts in position for the release of the lock. The dotted outlines show the position of the parts before the button is depressed.

Figure 4 is a view similar to the upper part of Figure 2 but showing the inner latching member depressed and the parts shifted to the latch depressed position. The dotted outline shows the shell moved to its extreme inward position and being out of engagement with the bell crank lever. Figure5 is a perspective view of the bell crank lever operated by' the push button and shell from the outside of the door.

Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of the ratchet and pawl mechanism associated with each of the throw-out latches.

Detroifllhiich, a corapplieation January parts shown at the right of Figure 1. The dotted outline shows the position of the parts with the inside look knob depressed.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detailed view of the structure shown at the left of Figure 1 but looking from the inside of the vehicle.

Figure 9 is asectional detailed view of the lock' mechanism and the keeper on the door post taken through the. door pillar and the door post.

. Figure 10 is a detailed view on the line "-10 a of Figure 9.

'- extreme released position. 7

Figure 7 is an enlarged, detailed view of-the'os Figure 11 is a sectional detailed figure on the line l|--ll of Figure 7.

Figure 11a is a. detailed view showing the inside Y locking mechanism in the locked position.

Figure. 12 is a detailed view similar to Figure 10 but showing the throw-out latches in their Figure 13 is a detailed view partly in section of the mechanism at the inside of the door for operating the door latch and for raising and lowering the door window.

Figure 14 is a view simllarto Figure 13 but showing the, push button in the depressed position. v

Figure 15 is a detailed view on'the line 15-15 of Figure 13.

An automotive vehicle (only-a part of which is shown) is indicated as a whole at 2. The vehicle has the usual door post 4 and the door 6. The door is provided with the usual window! and the usual window raising and lowering mechanism indicated as a whole at I 0. p

The window raising and lowering mechanism includes the mounting frame I! rigidly secured to the door and the segment I pivoted at Hi to I2. The coil spring 20 always acts in a direction to raise the window 8. The segment I has -rig-' idly secured thereto an arm 24 .to the end'of which there is attached the mechanism. connected t to the window 8 to raise and lower it. A shaft 26 is journalled in the frame 12 and has mounted on the end thereof a small gear wheel 28 which meshes with the gear, segment 14. The other end of the shaft 26 (see Fig. 13) is knurled and has rigidly mounted thereon the central part 3|! of a spider- 32 which forms the bottom of ahub 34 having a handle secured thereto. By oper-g atin'gthe handle 36 and turning the hub 34 the shaft, will berotated to operate-the gear segment I4 and to cause the operation of the'window raising and lowering mechanism.

The door 6 has the and to the pillar 38 there is secured the lock and latch mechanism 40 of the invention. The lock and latch mechanism comprises thev base plate 42 having a right angularly bent flange 45 which is secured to the inner part of the pillar 38.

The pillar 38 and the plate 42 have mounted therein the shafts or studs 84 and 46 which extend through the edge face of the pillar 38 and have secured thereto at the ends thereof the throw-out latches 48 and 50, best shown in detail in Figures and 12. The studs 44 and 46 and 50 only and serve as distance pieces or spacers for the throw-out latches. These throw-out latches are duplicates of each other and are oi the shape shown in Figures 10 and 12 and each comprises the outer arcuate edge 52 and the inner more or less E shaped edge 54. The edge 54 comprises the inner finger 58, the outer finger 58 and the intermediate finger 60. Between fingers 56, 58 and 60 there are depressions 62 and 64 in which there are received the tongues 66 and 68 of a keeperI0 rigidly secured to the door post 4. The-keeper I0 is mounted by means of the bolts I2 to a plate I4 set in and welded to a depression I6 in the post 4. This plate I4 has horizontal serrations I8 on one-half and vertical serrations 8I on the other half thereof which mate with like serrations formed on the keeper I0. These serrations make the keeper I0 adjustable both horizontally and vertically within very narrow limits with reference to the base plate 14. Hard rubber or fibre members II are provided on'the sides'of the keeper where it contacts-with the tongues 60 to prevent rattle and noise. The keeper I0 acts as a dovetail holding the door in its normal position with reference to all directions.

At the inside of the post. 4 and opposite the plate 14 a pocket 83 is welded in place. A floating type nut member 85 fits loosely in the pocket 83 and receives the threaded end of the bolts 72 removably to hold the keeper on the plate 14.

On the inside of the pillar 38 there is rigidly mounted on each of the shafts 44 and 46 a I 46 and hold the throw-out latches 48 or 50 and the segments I8 or 80 in place. The pawls are pivoted at 86 and 88 and suitable springs 80 and metal pillar 38 at its edge.

4 and 96 an auxiliary plate I02 is positioned. This plate has an edge flange I04 secured by means of the-screws I05 to the edge flange of theoted a cam I20. The cam has mounted thereon a projecting stud I 22 into which there is screwthreaded an operating rod I24. A set screw I26 secures the end of the rod in the stud I22. By pulling on the rod I24 the cam I20 will depress the arms II 0 and H2 at the point .I I4 to cause the pawls 82 and 8: to be moved on their pivots 86 and 88 and to be released from the teeth of the segments 18 and 80 to enable the springs 84 and 86 to move the segments and thereby operatethe throw -out latches 48 and to release them from the keeper I0. The reaction of the throw-out latches on the keeper will partially open the door.

The other end of the rod I24 passes freely through a small block I28 Journally mounted at I30 in the forked end I32 of abell crank lever I34 shown in detail in Figure 5. The end of the rod I24 has' an enlarged head I35 toprevent it from being pulled through the block I28. This bell crank lever is rigidly mounted at its bore I36 to a longitudinally shiftable shaft I38 having an enlarged head I40, the end of which is a cruciform shape, as indicated at I42 in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The shaft I38 has one end slidably mounted in a mounting bracket or fixture I44 rigidly secured to the door post 38. The fixture I44 has a small bracket I46 rigidly mounted thereon and this bracket I46 has the integral arm I48 through the end of which the shaft I38 slidably passes.

The bracket I44 has a circular bore I50 in which there is slidably received the casing I52 having the lock barrel I53 mounted therein. The lock barrel I53 (Fig. l) is or the conventional key operated type. The bell crank lever I34 has one arm I54 thereof positioned in the path of the rear end of the casing I52 and by pushing the casing I52 from the dotted line position ofv Figure 3 to the full line position, the end of the casing I52 will strike against the arm I54 to rock the lever I34 and its shaft I38. This will move the second arm I56 of the lever and pull the rod I24 to operate the cam I20 to release the pawls from the segments and cause the operation of 82 mounted to the plate 42 constantly urge the pawls 82 or 84 against the toothed edge of the segments I8 and 80. A coil spring 84 surrounds the shaft 44 and is secured at one end to the segment I8 and a second coil spring 86 surrounds the shaft 46 and is secured at one end 88 to the the segments I8 and 80 and the throw-out latches 48 and 50 to released or door opened position. Stops 88 limit the movement of the segments by the springs.-

Over and closely adjacent to the springs 84 the throw-out latches as has been described in the. foregoing.

The shaft I38 is provided with a reduced portion I58 in which there is received the forked end I60 of a bell crank lever I62 (Fig. 1) pivoted at I64 to the bracket I46. The second arm I66 of the bell crank lever I62 has attached thereto one end of a throw-out rod I68 the top of which is provided with an operating button or knob I10 which projects above the garnish moulding at the lower edge "2 of the window opening in the door 6. By pushing the button downwardly (Fig tires 1 and 7) the bell crank lever H2 is moved from the full line position in Fig. 'I to the dotted line position to cause the forked end I60 to shift the shaft I38 to the left, to the dotted line position.

The bell crank lever I34 will move with the latch mechanism to release the door.

shaft I38 and thereby move the arm I54 from the path of movement of the casing I52. This will prevent the operation of the latch mechanism from the outside of the door for the reason that depressing the push button I14 will not operate the bell crank lever I34 because the arm I54 is out of the path movement of the casing I52. By pressing downwardly on the knob I the occupant of the vehicle can lock the door from the inside. The position of the parts before the downward movement of the throw-out rod I68 is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7 while their position after the operation of the rod is shown in Figure 4 and in dotted outline in Figure 7. As willbe seen by the dotted outline I52, Figure 4, the end of the casing I52 projects past the lever arm I54, without moving the arm.

The mechanism for operating the lock and latch mechanism from the inside of the door is best shown in Figures 1, and'11 to 15. The frame I2 has a mounting bracket I16 rigidly secured thereto and on the end ofthis bracket there is rigidly mounted a smaller bracket I18 which has two eyes I88 formed in the end thereof. In the eyes I80 there is turnably mounted tube I82. Between the eyes I88 there is rigidly secured to the tube I82 an eye I84 of a lever I88 having a forked end I86. A spring I90has one end I92 rigidly secured to the bracket I16 and the other end I94 secured to the lever I88 and constantly urges the lever away from the bracket I18.

The free ends of the tines of the fork 186 are constantly urged by the spring I90 against the bottom of a cup I96 which is mounted in the hub 34. The cup I96 has secured to the flanges there- 6 secured to the operating rod I68. The retaining member '2I8 has a tongue 228 which mates with the corresponding tongue 221 on the retaining member 2I8 and when the parts 2I6 and 2I8 are in engagement the rod I82 is prevented from turning. Therefore, the movement of the button I10 to its downward position will not only prevent the operation of the lock and latch mechanism from the outside of the door'but also prevent its operation from the inside of the door.

Referring to Figure 11 the outside panel of the door is indicated .at 220. The panel is provided with an opening in which there is positioned the mounting hub 222 for the enlarged head or push button I14 of the slidable shell I52. The hub 222 is held in place by means of the nut 224 screw threaded to the hub 222 on the inside of the panel 220. A coil spring 226 is positioned between the bracket I44 and the head I14 and constantly urges the head against the shoulder 228 on the hub. 222 to limit the outward movement of the shell I52. 0

The door-open position of the throw-out latches 48 and 58, is as shown in Figure 12. When the of the shell I98, the outer edge of'which is ini turned as at 288 and is provided with a rib 202 over which there is snapped the edge 208 of a button 208 which fits into the hollow hub 34. I

The bottom of the cup I96 is retained againstthe bottom of the spider 32 and the arms of the shell I98 pass through the spaces between the spider arms. A suitable number of coil springs 218 (preferably three) mounted in recesses in the spider arms constantly urge the flange 202- and the shell I98 and the cup I96 to the position shown in Figure 13. By depressing the button 208 the shell I98 and cup I96 are moved from the position'of Figure .13 to that of Figure 14 and in this movement the tines of the fork I86 are moved from the position of Figure 13 to that of Figure 14 to cause the rotation of the rod I82.

.The other end of the rod I82 (see Figures 1 and 11) is provided with a hollow head 212 which is slotted at 2" to conform to the shape of the cruciform head I42. The cruciform head I42 is received in the slots 2 and a suflicient amount of lost motion in the longitudinal direction is al- 7 lowed by the connection between the heads I 42 and 2I2. .The reason for this lost motion connection is to enable the operating rod I68 to shift the head I42 and lever I34 with reference to the tube I82. The movement of the lever I88 from the position of Figure 13 to that of Figure 14 will rock or rotate the tube I82 to cause the head 2 I2 to rotate the cruciform head I42 and its; shaft I38. This will cause the operation of the lever I34 and thereby cause the operating rod I24 to operate the throw-out latches. Inthis manner the depression of the push button 208 from the inside of the vehicle will operate the 'with a mating retaining member 2I8 rigidly operator closes or slams the door the fingers 58 on the throw-out latches will strike the forward edge of the keeper 10 and cause'the throw-out latches to turn and to rotate the shafts 44 and 46. This movement of the shafts 44 and 46 will cause a rotation of the segments 18 and and as the segments rotate the pawls 82 and 84 will engage in the toothed edge to prevent the segments from returning. In the full door-closed position the throw-out latches have been moved from the position shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure 10 and the pawls 82 and 84 will be in engagement with the teeth of the segments to a position corresponding to the position of the throw-out latches shownin Figure 10. The movement of the throw-out latches and the segments will have wound up or energized the coil springs 94 and 96. Now when the operator presses either the button I14 or the button 208, the bell crank lever I34 will be operated to shift the-rod I24 which causes the cam I20 to depress the arms H0 and H2 to pull the pawls 82 and 84 away from the toothed racks on the segments. When the pawls are released the springs 94 and 96 will again throw the throw-out latches to the position shown in Figure 12 which will unlatch or release the mechanism from the keeper 10. The springs 94 and 96, which have been energized by closing the door, release this energy through the shafts 44 and 46 causing the fingers 58 of the latches or cams 48 and 50 to bear against keeper 10 with such force that the door is moved outwardly to partially open position. The energy required due to different weight of doors will be supplied by the use of springs 94 and 96 having a suitable strength.

The movement of the throw-out latches 48 and 50 from the position shown in Figure 10 to that shown in Figure 12 will give the door 6 a small opening movement. v 1

A threaded stem 238 (Figs. 1 to 4, 7 and 11) has a nut 232 locked thereon near its outer end and has its inner end in engagement with the lock mechanism in the lock barrel I53. The stem 230 passes through a slot 234 in the lever I84. When the key operates the lock barrel to lock the door a head or a nut (not shown) on the inner end of the stem 230 moves the lever I34 outwardly or away from the barrel to move the lever arm I54 out of the path of movement of the casing I52. When the key is turned to unlock the door the stern 230 will be moved in the opposite direction to cause the nut 232 to pull the lever I34 toward the casing'to again move the arm I54 into the path of operation of the casing I52.

I claim: a

1. In a lock for the door of an automotive vehicle, a pair of throw-out latches on the door adapted to engage with a keeper when the door is in closed position, springs operativelyconnected to the latches and constantly urging said throwout latches to door-open position, means to restrain the springs from moving the throw-out latches, and means operable from the outside of the door and means operable from the inside .of the door to release said restraining means to enbutton on the outside of the door, means interconnecting the push button and the said mechanical means to operate said mechanism from Y the push button to cause the throw-out latches to able the springs to move the throw-out latches to release the door.

2. In a lock for'the door of an automotive vehicle, a plate secured to the door, a pair of throwout latches pivotally mounted on the-plate and adapted to engage with a keeper on the door post to hold the door in closed position, springs mounted on the plate operatively connected to the latches and constantly urging said throw-out latches to door-open position, releasable means mounted on the plate and restraining said springs from releasing said latches, means simultaneously to release both of said restraining means to enable the springs to move the throw -out latches to release the door, and means operable from the inside of the door and means operable from the outside of the door to operate said releasing be released from the keeper, and means operable from the inside of the vehicle to disconnect said interconnecting means from the push button to render the push button inoperative.

6. In a lock for the door ofan automotive vehicle, a pair of throw-out latches rotatably mounted on shafts journalled in the door and' adapted to engage with a keeper on the door post, a spring operatively' connected to each shaft and constantly urging said shafts and latches to door released position, said springs mounted inside the door, a segment rigidly mounted on each shaft, a pawl for each segment, said pawls piv otally mounted on the door, said segments and pawls restraining the springs. from moving said latches, means for simultaneously operating said pawls to release the segments and the springs to enable the springs to operate the latches, an operating rod connected to said means, a lever pivotally mounted on the door, said rod connected to said lever, means exterior to the door to operate said lever and means on the interior of the door to operate said lever, the operation of said lever moving said rod and causing the operation of said means to release the pawls and enable the springs to move ,the latches to door-open position.

7. In a lock for the door of an automotive vehicle, a pair of throw-out latches rotatably mounted on shafts journalled in the door and adapted to engage with a keeper on the door post,

a spring operatively connected to each shaft and constantly urging said shafts and latches to doorreleased position, said springs mounted inside the a door, a segment'rigidly mounted on each shaft,

means to enable'the throw-out latches to react on the keeper to enable the door to be opened.

4. .In a lock for the door of an automotive vehicle, a pair of throw-out latches mounted on the door and adapted to engage with a keeper mounted on the door post, a spring for each latch operatively connected to the latch and constantly urging said latches to door-open position, releasable means interrelated with each spring to restrain said'springs from moving said throw-out latches, a link connected at one end to said releasable means, a lever connected to the other end of said link, and a pushbutton operable from the outside of the door and adapted to operate said lever to cause a release of the springs to enable the throw-out latches to unlatch the door.

5. In a lock for the door of an automotive vehicle, a pair of throw-out latches rotatably mounted on shafts journalled in'the door and adapted to engage with a keeper on the door post, a plate mounted on the inside of the door opposite the latches, sa'id shafts mounted in said plate, a spring operatively connected to each shaft and adapted constantly to urge the latches to door open position, a pawl and segment mechanism associated with each shaft and r'eleasably holding said springs, mechanical means for simultaneously operating said pawls to cause said throw-out latches to operate in unison, a push a pawl for each segment, said pawls pivotaily mounted on the. door, said segments and pawls restraining the springs from moving said latches, means for simultaneously operating said pawls to release the segments and'the springs to enable the springs to operate the latches, an operating rod connected to said means, a lever pivotally' mounted on the door, said rod connected to said lever, a rod rotatably mounted in the door, means connecting the rotatable rod to the lever, means inside the vehicle connected to the rotatable rod and movable to turn the rod to operate the lever, the operation of said lever moving said operating rod and causing the operation of said means to release the pawls 'and enable the springs to move the latches to door-open position.

8. In a lock for the door an an automotive vehicle, a pair of throweout latches rotatably mounted on shafts iournalled in the door and adapted to engage with a keeper on the door post, a spring operatively connected to each shaft and constantly urging said shafts and latches to door-released position, said springs mounted inside the door, a segment' rigidly mounted on each shaft, a pawl for each segment,

said pawls pivotally mounted on the door, said segments and pawls restraining the springs from r erates the lever.

ing the operation of said means to release the pawls and enable the springs to move the latches to door-open position and means bodily to shift said lever and'remove it from the field of operationof the means exterior-to the door which op- 9. In a lock for the, door of an automotive vehicle, a pair of throw-out latches rotatably mounted on shafts joumalled in the door and adapted to engage with a'keeper 'on the door post,

constantly urging said shafts ancllatches to doorreleased position, said springs mounted inside the door, a segment rigidly mounted on each shaft, a pawl for each segment, said pawls pivotally mounted on-the door, said segments and pawls ,a spring operatively connected to each shaft and restraining the springs from moving said latches,

means for simultaneously operating said pawlsto'release the segments and the springs to enable the springs to operate the latches, an operating rod connected to said means, a lever pivotally and means movable to, engage with the said rotatable rod to prevent the rotation of said rod and the operation of the lever.

ROBERT F. SMITH. 

